what john kerry's words do is permit the uk and france to begin the process of arming. they've been talking about ev e evading or working around eu sanctions. they are yet to begin the process of handing them over. it's a long, difficult, practical road ahead, but part of the calculation is by saying they'll do it, they might draw president bashar assad towards a negotiation table, put extra pressure on him, wolf? >> joining us from beirut with that story, significant developments. thanks, nick, very much. >>> there are huge problems to tackle in the middle east right now, but the white house is downplaying expectations for the president's trip this week. he leaves tomorrow night for israel. it will be his first visit there since becoming president of the united states. he'll also travel to the west bank and to jordan. and john king is joining us now from jerusalem. what are they saying there about syria right now? it seems to be a critical moment. >> reporter: it's a critical moment, now, wolf in syria and will be a critical subject of conversation when president obama